Selection and application of steel pipes

Steel pipes, as one of the important basic materials in modern industry, are widely used in various fields. Whether it is the transportation of oil and gas, the support of building structures, or the fluid transportation of chemical engineering, steel pipes play a vital role. However, facing the wide variety of steel pipes with different uses on the market, how to select the most suitable steel pipe according to needs has become the focus of many purchasers and engineers.

This article will take you to a comprehensive understanding of the selection criteria of steel pipes, from materials, performance, process, to application fields and other aspects, to help you make the most appropriate choice.

Basic knowledge of steel pipes:

Steel pipes refer to hollow tubular products made of steel, which can be divided into seamless steel pipes and welded steel pipes. The production process of seamless steel pipes does not include welding seams, so they have higher strength and pressure bearing capacity; while welded steel pipes are welded into tubes by welding steel plates or steel strips, which are suitable for some low-pressure and low-strength applications.

The main uses of steel pipes include fluid transportation, mechanical structures, energy mining, etc. Different use environments and process requirements have different requirements for the material, specifications and performance of steel pipes.

Material selection of steel pipe:

The material of the steel pipe directly determines its performance and applicable fields. Common steel pipe materials include carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, etc., and each material has different characteristics and applicable scenarios.

1. Carbon steel pipe: Carbon steel pipe (CS pipe) is the most common type of steel pipe, with good processing performance, suitable for low temperature and low pressure environment. Its main components are iron and carbon, with low cost, suitable for most conventional applications, such as building structures, ordinary fluid transportation, etc.

2. Alloy steel pipe: Alloy steel pipe contains alloy elements such as chromium, molybdenum, and nickel, with higher strength, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance, and is widely used in pipeline systems under high temperature and high pressure environments, such as boiler pipes, chemical pipelines, oil and gas pipelines, etc.

3. Stainless steel pipe: Stainless steel pipe (SS pipe) has strong corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance, and is suitable for environments with high requirements for corrosion and temperature. It is often used in fields such as food, chemical industry and pharmaceutical industry that have high requirements for hygiene and corrosion resistance.

4. Low alloy high strength steel pipe: Low alloy steel pipe has high mechanical properties and is particularly suitable for environments with high strength requirements such as oil and natural gas transportation. Its corrosion resistance and high pressure resistance are better than ordinary carbon steel pipes, and it is widely used in deep-sea oil and gas extraction, high-pressure steam pipelines, etc.

Performance requirements of steel pipes:

The performance of steel pipes is directly related to their performance in practical applications. Common performance requirements of steel pipes include:

1. Yield strength: Yield strength refers to the stress of plastic deformation of steel pipes when subjected to external forces. For steel pipes that need to withstand high pressure and mechanical stress, higher yield strength is very important. For example, in oil and gas pipelines, steel pipes with higher yield strength can effectively resist changes in internal and external pressures.

2. Tensile strength: Tensile strength refers to the maximum bearing capacity of steel pipes when stretched, and is usually used to measure the performance of steel pipes under high load conditions. The higher the tensile strength, the better the stability of the steel pipe in a stretched state.

3. Impact absorption energy: The impact absorption energy requirements of steel pipes in cold environments are high to ensure that the steel pipes do not break brittlely under low temperature conditions. For example, deep-sea pipelines or oil pipelines in cold areas need to have strong impact absorption to prevent rupture caused by low temperature.

4. Corrosion resistance: In corrosive environments, steel pipes need to have strong corrosion resistance, especially in the fields of petroleum and chemical industry, where the requirements for corrosion resistance are particularly strict. Stainless steel pipes and alloy steel pipes are designed to meet this demand.

5. High temperature resistance: Steel pipes working in high temperature environments need to have good high temperature resistance to prevent deformation or breakage due to overheating. For example, boiler tubes, heat exchanger tubes, etc., need to use steel pipes with high temperature resistance.

Process selection of steel pipes:

The production process of steel pipes determines its final performance and usage scenarios. Common steel pipe production processes include hot rolling, cold rolling, welding, etc.

1. Hot-rolled steel pipe: Hot-rolled steel pipe is a steel pipe formed by heating the steel billet to a certain temperature and rolling it. It is usually used in low-pressure and conventional applications. Hot-rolled steel pipes have good processing performance and are suitable for most conventional pipeline applications.

2. Cold-rolled (drawn) steel pipe: Cold-rolled (drawn) steel pipe has better surface finish and dimensional accuracy by rolling at room temperature. Cold-rolled steel pipe is suitable for occasions requiring higher precision and surface quality, such as automobile manufacturing, home appliances, precision machinery and other fields.

3. Welded steel pipe: Welded steel pipe (such as ERW pipe) is formed by welding steel strips into a tube, and then expanding and cooling to form a pipe. Welded steel pipe is usually used in low-pressure fluid delivery systems and is suitable for general industry and construction fields.

4. Seamless steel pipe: There is no welding seam in the production process of seamless steel pipe, so it has stronger pressure bearing capacity and corrosion resistance. Seamless steel pipe is suitable for special environments such as high pressure, high temperature, and deep sea, such as oil and gas pipelines, chemical pipelines, etc.

Application fields of steel pipe:

Steel pipes are widely used in various industries, and the main application fields include:

1. Oil and gas pipelines: Steel pipes are most widely used in oil and gas pipelines, especially in deep-sea oil and gas exploitation, long-distance transportation and other environments. Steel pipes need to have high strength, corrosion resistance, low temperature resistance and other characteristics.
2. Chemical industry: Steel pipes are used in the chemical industry for fluid transportation, reactor pipes, heat exchangers and other equipment, and require good corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance.
3. Construction industry: Steel pipes are an important part of building structures and are used for support, reinforcement, underground pipelines, etc. Especially in high-rise buildings, bridges, tunnels and other projects, the bearing capacity and seismic resistance of steel pipes are key.

4. Machinery manufacturing: Steel pipes are often used in hydraulic systems, transmission systems, etc. in machinery manufacturing, and require high compressive and tensile strength.
5. Shipbuilding: Steel pipes are used in marine engineering, hull structures, etc. in shipbuilding, and require good corrosion resistance and compressive resistance.
6. Automobile industry: Steel pipes are used in exhaust systems, engine systems, etc. in the automobile industry, and require good high temperature resistance and mechanical strength.

How to select suitable steel pipes according to needs?

In practical applications, how to select steel pipes according to specific needs is a key issue. Here are some important factors to consider when selecting steel pipes:

1. Use environment: Choose the right material and specifications according to the environment (such as temperature, pressure, corrosiveness, etc.) where the pipe is located. For example, in cold areas, choose steel pipes with higher impact absorption energy; in high temperature environments, choose steel pipes with strong high temperature resistance.

2. Working pressure and strength requirements: For high pressure and heavy load applications, choose steel pipes with higher yield strength and tensile strength to ensure the stability and safety of the pipe.

3. Corrosion and wear resistance requirements: For corrosive environments, it is necessary to choose steel pipes with good corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel pipes; if the pipe needs to withstand greater friction, you can choose alloy steel pipes with strong wear resistance.

4. Budget and economy: According to the budget of the project, choose steel pipes with high cost performance. For example, in low-pressure and conventional applications, you can choose hot-rolled steel pipes or electric-welded steel pipes; under special requirements, choose seamless steel pipes and alloy steel pipes.

Conclusion:

As an important infrastructure material, steel pipes are widely used in many fields such as oil and gas, chemical industry, construction, and machinery manufacturing. When choosing steel pipes, we need to select the most suitable steel pipes based on multiple factors such as the actual application environment, performance requirements, budget, etc.

Understanding the material, performance, process and application areas of steel pipes can help us make more informed choices in actual work. I hope that the introduction in this article can help you better understand the selection and application of steel pipes and provide a reference for your project.

Hunan Standard Steel Co., Ltd is a leading seamless pipe, welded pipe and pipe fittings manufacturer & supplier serving diverse industries with multiple types, grades, diameters and lengths of pipe. For more, Contact us: info@hu-steel.com

Read more: Seamless pipe vs Welded pipe Cost or ASTM Standard Seamless Steel Pipe Quality Inspection